Syed began singing, at age of 12, to please her mother. After two years of rigorous classical music training by Akhtar Hussain,[1] Syed was instructed in geet and ghazal by her mother.[3] Her final teacher, Nazar Hussain, taught her voice modulation and raggi (singing using the throat).[3]

Syed continues to perform at diverse events such as a "ghazal evening" in Dallas, Texas, U.S.,[5] a tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.,[6] and at the Faiz International Festival in Lahore.[7]

Syed was married to lawyer Naeem Bukhari for 15 years (1975-1990) before their separation and divorce; they had two children.[8]
One of the reasons for their separation was the alleged affair with the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.[citation needed] She is a well-known personality in Pakistan and occasionally speaks publicly at art and literature events.[9]